A renovation of the Donald Ross-designed course at the Riviera Country Club in Coral Gables, Florida, is underway.

Kipp Schulties Golf Design has been brought in to lead the design work, and will work alongside QGS Development, a course development firm, and Buzz Jaskela Landscape Architects to carry out the project.

“This project will be the first major renovation to the course since 1993,” said Eric J. von Hofen, director of Agronomy and Clubhouse Maintenance for Riviera Country Club. “As an original Donald Ross golf course, it will keep the spirit of the original layout imagined in 1925 by one of the fathers of golf course design. The modernisation of the course will keep the Donald Ross characteristics while making the adjustments that players want.”

New Celebration bermudagrass will be introduced to the course, as will a state-of-the-art irrigation system. The greens will be rebuilt to USGA specifications and enlarged to help accommodate a range of pin locations. Fairways will also be recontoured to enhance playability.

“We are looking to create something very special at Riviera Country Club. Many clubs don’t have the ability to do what we plan to because of space,” said Kipp Schulties. “The finished course will have plenty of modern touches adding character, contour and elevation and giving members a truly unique golfing experience in South Florida.”

The project will take around six months to complete, with the work likely to be completed by the end of September. The course is scheduled to reopen for play at the end of December 2015.

“The improvements that we are making to the golf course will take the golfing experience to a new level,” said Ed Williamson, president of Riviera Country Club. “Since 1945, the tradition of the club has been to provide an unparalleled experience to our members and to be a valued neighbor to all. We are committed to honouring our place in the community and the legacy of leadership that our members have always insisted upon.”